The Blessing of Isolation

This exquisite photo of an Israeli Ibex ("Yael") near Ramon Crater courtesy of Joshua Gedalia

Moses blessed the People of Israel before he died, "And Israel shall dwell in security isolated." This is one of the best blessings of Torah, if only we'd heed it...

In the south of Israel in the Negev Desert, lives an amazing creature, the Yael - the Ibex, or Israeli mountain goat. You won't find a more sure-footed animal in creation. It's breathtaking to see the Yael walk along steep and narrow mountain ledges, where the slightest slip means plunging down hundreds of meters to the canyon below. But the fact that the Yael lives in such rugged and trecherous terrain is also his protection. He dwells alone, where no predator or enemy can reach him.

When we the people of Israel dwell on a spiritual high of unshakable emuna, no predator or enemy can reach us either. Perhaps one of the reasons that the Shofar is made from the horn of a Yael is to teach us to be like him. When we put all our trust in Hashem, we too are surefooted and never fall.

The important news is that Chanuka is almost here, reminding us to rid ourselves of any and all foreign influence and dependence. The insignificant news is that Britain and France, the two countries in Europe that will be the first to be taken over by Islam, are threatening (if they haven't already) to recall their ambassadors because of the new housing that's scheduled to be built in Jerusalem, Judea, and Shomron. Sirs, feel completely free to go home to your two-faced and immoral governments.

Any time throughout history when Israel depended on a foreign power led to submission and tragedy. It's about time we did what Hashem wants us to do and not what foreign governments want us to do. The cowardly building freeze in Israel during the last few years as a capitulation to the White House did not bring peace; it only created a shortage of at least 20,000 housing units and drove apartment prices here through the roof. The 3,000 units that the Israeli Government is currently planning are certainly welcome, but still a drop in the bucket.

Don't be afraid as the nations of the world isolate us - Hashem is doing this for our very best and as preparation for the imminent redemption of our people - the Geula. You'd like to be part of the Geula, wouldn't you? Or do you prefer to continue hiding your kippa in your pocket and wearing a baseball hat or a beret so that your hostile neighbors won't know that you're Jewish?

Live like a Yael, with no fear of anyone but Hashem. Vayishkon Yisrael betach badad - "And Israel shall dwell in security isolated."

Comments

[Puah yiska]

...such a beautiful photo, thnx:)!
Encouraging lesson also, thnx:)!
Spiritual calestetics stabilize our core for sure; yet, we often overlook our core when "everything seems to be going well" from the lense of if it's not broken don't fix it; but, in spirituality we learn to invest in our core so that we will be solid, strong, genuinely happy and prepared to cope when challenges arise.
I recall learning in parsha vyeitzei that the area of Yaakov's body that was wounded corresponds with hod which is (I'm simplifying) related to being able to express jewish self-esteem which seems to be one of our biggest challenges as individuals, as well as, a nation to rectify. The rectification of that would is being able to say truths such as: Israel is g-d's gift to the Jewish people and it's not theirs to give away; I'm shomer mitzvot with confidence ; I am not shaking hands cause I'm
learning/ I am a modest jewess; etc.
Hatzlacha rabba to klal yisrael in all our endeavors:)
Shalom and blessings:)

[Dovbearbarleib]

Jewish End of Days just did a great post on our isolation. The 138 nations that voted to destroy us correspond with the two names for Mashiach, Tzemach and Menachem, both of whom have the Gematriah of 138. 41 abstained, and 9 voted for our continued existence. Any vote for Palestine was a vote for our unilateral destruction. Looking at the 9, subtract Israel itself, and there are really only 8. The US said NO to maintain control over what it believes is a perpetual Peace Process that will never occur anyway as reward for Netanyahu's surrender on Day 8 of the Gaza War. Every scream of Pollard from his prison hospital bed negates any reward for the American NO. Panama: I have no idea why Panama voted NO. Czech Republic because they remember the Golem made by the Maharal and how he saved Prague when he ended the Golem's career. So there is likely hakarat hatov for that. Canada is simply run by a righteous gentile named Stephen Harper who gets most of his support from Western Canada. Then there are four island nations in the South Pacific. May the Okianus HaSheket continue to give them peace and quiet for years to come. I have never been to Micronesia or the Marshall Islands. Perhaps someone can elucidate on the reasons why the South Pacific and Panama decided not to leave us totally alone in the world. I need no explanation for evil in the world, but I am pleasantly surprised when goodness rears its head in an otherwise lost world.